Do I Need to Stabilize?

[AlaskanHunter]

I was given a box full of English/Black walnut graft wood. Some of it is slightly burled, and much of it has fiddleback or curly grain. Included in the box was a few pieces of relatively plain grained pistachio. The walnut has been seasoned for 1.5+ years, and the pistachio 5+ years. Do I need to have any/some/all of it stabilized before using it for knife handles?

 

[J. Hoffman]

Some wouldn't stabilized walnut, but I like to stabilize everything. You will need to check the moisture content before sending it off to be stabilized. I'd love to see pictures.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Stabilize it. Do the best pieces first, and after that has been used, do the rest.

 

[Darrin Sanders]

Walnut doesn't HAVE to be stabilized but you wont regret doing so. It makes finishing a lot easier. Also, stabilized wood lets me sleep better. LOL

 

[John Andrews]

Some wouldn't stabilized walnut, but I like to stabilize everything. You will need to check the moisture content before sending it off to be stabilized. I'd love to see pictures.

Yep on stabilizing everything. It costs but is worth every cent.

 

[AlaskanHunter]

Some wouldn't stabilized walnut, but I like to stabilize everything. You will need to check the moisture content before sending it off to be stabilized. I'd love to see pictures.

It took me long enough to get pics done. Enjoy.

I opted to stabilize most of it. Now I'll just impatiently wait for K&G to send it back.

 

[DukeHarley]

It won't take them too long. I have had my last two orders only take 2 weeks max.

Jay

 

[LARRYZ10]

I hope I am not bending the topic but will some of you please advise where to get your wood stabilized. I have read that K@G does a good job...are they still the best place to send scales? I am a little embarrassed to ask as I have made and sold many hundreds of knives but have never had any wood stabilized. I would appreciate any advice from forum members. Thank you, Larry